The main attraction of Sergievka Park that we wanted to see was a stone head that had grown into the ground near the path not far from the palace.
The mysterious Golov boulder, with a spring gushing at its very base, lies in the western ravine of Sergievka Park. In various documentary and artistic sources the head is called “Elder”, “Old Man”, “Adam’s Head”, “Rusich”, “Head of Samson”, “Warrior” and a very rare name - the sculpture of Svyatogor.
The massive granite face is carved from a single stone. The facial features are laconic, the eyes are expressive and overshadowed by deep sadness. A hole is visible in the bridge of the nose, in which a metal helmet was probably once attached. No one saw it, or at least there is no mention of it. If there was a helmet, this detail is now lost.
No one knows exactly the history of this head. But such a wide variety of names suggests that many legends are associated with the head.
Legend one:
The real, or official version, head was created from a boulder around 1800 at the behest of Emperor Paul I. The author of the project was the quite famous architect Franz Petrovich Brower at that time. The name of the stonemason remains unknown.
Legend two:
The head has been standing since ancient Russian times. But in such ancient times, numerous Finno-Ugric tribes lived here, and there was no “smell” of Russia here. Unless random Novgorod detachments wandered in, having lost their way to Koporye and Karela.
Legend three:
According to another legend, a statue of a huge stone giant is buried in the depths of the earth. No one ever bothered to check this version.
Legend four:
Legend says that when the spring flowing from under the head dries up, it will fall underground. And then a great grief will happen - the city of Petrov will disappear from the face of the earth along with people and houses.
Legend five:
This is the head of Emperor Peter I himself. The monument was commissioned by Sergei Petrovich Rumyantsev, a descendant of Alexander Ivanovich Rumyantsev, who was an associate and ally of the sovereign. But allegedly the customer did not like the monument, and he ordered it to be buried.
Legend six:
Also associated with Peter I. The head of Peter was made by order of Emperor Paul I, who decided in this way to perpetuate the memory of his ancestor.
Legend seven:
It says that a daughter (some say a son) was born into the family of a master stonecutter from the Peterhof Cutting Factory. Tsar Peter I became the child's godfather. In memory of this event, the grateful master immortalized the emperor’s features in stone.
Legend eight:
There is a version that the head is part of a monument to some Swedish king. Carved during the reign of the Swedes on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, for some reason it was not taken out by the owner. The Swedes dragged her to the sea onto a ship, but they did not drag her and abandoned her. So she remained in a deep ravine.
Legend nine:
Researchers of Pushkin’s heritage claim that in July 1818, Alexander Sergeevich, together with his friend Nikolai Raevsky Jr., visited the Sergievsky estate and visited a shady ravine near the “sleeping” head. Perhaps it was this block of stone that became the prototype of the living head, so vividly drawn by Pushkin in the poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila,” completed two years after visiting Sergievka.
Legend tenth:
The head was made in the mid-19th century by admirers of Pushkin’s talent as an illustration for the poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila.” The head itself was much lower, and a stream flowed from its mouth like a small waterfall.
Interest in sculpture was revived in the 1930s. Then the Spartak magazine published a photograph of young pioneers sitting on a granite monument. During these years, a tradition of group photographs with a stone head in the background appeared. A superstition arose among the creative intelligentsia: if you stroke a stone sculpture and drink water from a spring, inspiration and good luck will always accompany you.
In Sergievsky Park - a palace and park ensemble located in Peterhof, west of the Leuchtenberg Palace, in a ravine, near the Kristelka River, there is a miracle head, carved into the ground, carved from a huge boulder, called “The Old Man” or “Adam’s Head”.
Official version. The head appeared, according to historical records, in 1800, under the then owner, Sergei Rumyantsev (a descendant of Peter I’s associate, Alexander Rumyantsev). The monument was designed by the architect F. Brower, who worked at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries in St. Petersburg.
It feels like the body of this head (sculpture) is hidden somewhere underground. It is possible that it is already in a damaged, broken state, but it is still there.
It is difficult to explain the juxtaposition of traces of stone erosion and the simultaneous clear lines of the master's stone work. Or there was something else on the head (a knight’s helmet, for example). The hole in the nasal septum indicates this option. Or maybe someone checked to see if it was hollow?
Amateurs are not allowed to dig. This can only be done by “accredited” institutions, archaeologists. But as you can see, they are in no hurry to get here.
Sergievka also has a second unofficial name - the estate of the Duke of Leuchtenberg
Close-up photo. Traces of stone erosion are visible.
The hole is shallow. Tourists leave coins as usual.
In addition to the palace itself and the “stone head”, there are also other stone objects in the park
Boulders, including some with flat edges. Destroyed ancient masonry?
The place is very interesting. It’s a pity that it’s not as widely visited as the sights of St. Petersburg itself, and the cultural monuments themselves (the estate) are not in the best condition.
Moreover, not all residents of Russia, but also St. Petersburg, know about this place. I previously posted similar information on the forum.
People have always been interested in ancient civilizations and their incredible ability to create megaliths. One such mystery is the carved stone heads of the Olmec civilization discovered in Mexico. These ancient giant sculptures depict the heads of people with flat noses, slightly slanted eyes and plump cheeks. So far, seventeen mysterious stone heads have been excavated, but no one knows why they are located in one place or another, why they were made and how they were brought to the places where they are now found.
The first archaeological studies of the Olmec civilization date back to 1938. Oddly enough, these expeditions began to be carried out quite a long time after the discovery of the first giant head in 1862 in Tres Zapotes.
Seventeen giant Olmec stone heads were found at four sites along the Gulf Coast, in areas where the Olmec civilization once flourished.
Most Olmec stone heads were carved from round boulders, except for two huge heads from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, which were carved on giant stone thrones. Interestingly, another monument, a massive stone throne located at Takalik Abaj in Guatemala, may have been carved in reverse - from a colossal head.
This monumental throne is the only known example of such carvings that were found in places other than 4 where stone heads were found. The exact age of these colossal heads has not yet been fully established. Scientists studied four sites where Olmec heads have been found - San Lorenzo, La Venta, Tres Zapotes and Rancho la Cobata - to get an idea of how they are connected.
The monumental heads at San Lorenzo were buried around 900 BC, but there is clear evidence that they were created much earlier. Interestingly, despite the fact that (according to scientists) the heads from San Lorenzo are the oldest of all, they amaze with their perfect carving.
Dating at other excavation sites is more complex - the sculptures at Tres Zapotes were moved from their original site before they were examined by archaeologists, and the heads at La Venta were partially excavated and unearthed when they were discovered. Thus, the actual period of creation of the Olmec giant heads may span either a hundred or a thousand years.
All Olmec stone heads date from the Early Preclassic period of Mesoamerica (1500 BC - 1000 BC), although two heads at Tres Zapotes and one head from Rancho la Cobata are recognized as belonging to mid-Preclassic period (1000 BC - 400 BC). Basically, the Olmec civilization was located on the Gulf Coast in an area approximately 275 km along the coast and 100 km inland (now the two modern Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz are located in this place.
The Olmec civilization is considered the first "major" culture in Mesoamerica - it existed in this area of Mexico between 1500 BC. and 400 BC As one of the "Six Cradles of Civilization" in the world, the Olmec civilization is the only one that developed in the rainforest. It is believed that the carving and placement of each colossal stone head must have been approved and coordinated by the Olmec rulers.
Construction also had to be carefully planned, taking into account the efforts involved in obtaining the necessary resources and labor. Thus, it seems that only the most powerful Olmecs could afford such a thing. As for labor, not only sculptors were needed, but also boatmen, carpenters, overseers and other artisans who helped create and move the sculpture.
In addition to this, there was also the staff needed to feed all the workers. Seasonal cycles and river levels also had to be taken into account to plan the production of the huge sculptures. In fact, the entire project, from start to finish, could take years. Archaeological examination of Olmec creations suggests exactly how these stone heads were made.
First, the boulders were first roughly processed, breaking off both large and small fragments of rock. Fine carvings were then made using a sculpting hammer. At the final stage, abrasive materials were used for grinding. Olmec stone heads are distinguished by the fact that they usually had elaborately carved faces, and were much less meticulous in the details of their headdresses and ear ornaments.
All seventeen stone heads were carved from basalt stone, which was quarried in the Sierra de los Tuxlas mountains in the state of Veracruz. These boulders were found in areas affected by large volcanic landslides, which sent huge boulders down mountain slopes. The Olmecs carefully selected boulders that were originally spherical in shape so that they could be more easily shaped into the appearance of a human head. The boulders were then transported from the mountain slopes to a distance of up to 150 km.
Modern scientists are perplexed how the Olmecs could transport such huge masses of basalt, especially since they did not have draft animals, and this civilization did not use the wheel. Olmec heads range in weight from six to fifty tons, and in height from approximately 1.5 to 3.65 meters. The back of these stone monuments was often made flat.
This has led scientists to speculate that the heads were originally leaned against the wall while the carvers worked. All Olmec giant stone heads have unique headdresses. It is assumed that the Olmecs made (naturally, in life, and not in sculptures) similar headdresses from animal skins or fabric.
Some of the stone heads even show a tied knot at the back of the head, while others have feathered headdresses. Also, most heads have large earrings in their earlobes. All heads are realistic replicas of men. It is likely that they were sculptures of famous Olmec rulers. All 17 stone heads are permanently located in Mexico, mostly in anthropology museums.
By media: thevintagenews.com
Continuing the topic for everyone who is interested in the history of ancient civilizations.
Sergievka Park in Peterhof has managed to captivate not only ordinary people, but also experienced cultural experts with its beauty. The palace and park ensemble has already been given the status of a monument of federal significance for its unique buildings, illustrating the architectural direction of the early 19th century. However, despite its modern individuality, the history of this square began with events typical of that time.
History of the park
Creating a town not far from the northern capital of Russia in the 18th century, the Romanovs took care of their own comfort, allowing them to comfortably work on the affairs of the state. Therefore, Peterhof was the place of residence not only for the imperial couple, but also for those close to them. The gradual settlement of this territory by nobles from noble families led to the improvement of the area. It was thanks to such activities on the part of Peter the Great’s favorite, Alexander Ivanovich Rumyantsev, that a garden with a summer estate appeared.
Later, ownership rights passed to the son and legal heir - Field Marshal Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky. And only the representative of the 3rd generation of owners left a significant mark on the history of the park. After Sergei Petrovich, the small area was nicknamed Sergievka.
Side view of the main estate of the imperial daughter and her husband.
Gradually, the Rumyantsev family moved away from serving the sovereign. And already in the 1820s, disappointment in the expectations of liberal reforms became the reason for his complete separation from the emperor’s family. Therefore, at this time the estate is sold to Kirill Naryshkin. Despite the nobility of the family and constant communication with government leaders, the man did not acquire the estate to increase his role at court. On the contrary, he bought an estate for summer entertainment with guests near the most luxurious parks in Russia.
Additional Information! It was under this owner that the square fell into disrepair, since neither the plants nor the buildings were updated.
The next buyer of this quiet place was the emperor himself. In 1838, Nicholas I bought the estate for Duke Maximilian of Leuchtenberg and his wife, the sovereign’s daughter, Maria Nikolaevna. Sergeevka became a country house for newlyweds, and then for their children and grandchildren. Before the couple first visited the site, the estate had been renovated. We planted many new crops, designed paths around the pond, and completely changed the interior of the premises.
The palace of the spouses of Maximilian and the daughter of Nicholas I - Maria Nikolaevna.
A little later - in the mid-1840s - the Kitchen and Chamberlain buildings, as well as a country palace, were built. Their author was the famous architect Stackenschneider, who supervised the construction of the Mariinsky Palace. At the same time, a chapel covered with marble was erected in the shade of the forests. Sergeevka continued to be updated. Benches and sculptures were carved out of granite boulders, repeating scenes from antiquity. The Leuchtenbergsky estate in Peterhof was supplemented with horticultural crops brought from European powers.
Since the 20s of the last century, the Sergievka estate in old Peterhof acquired the status of a natural monument of regional significance. The state established control over this territory and placed the biological faculty of Leningrad University in the buildings. The war years turned out to be difficult for Sergeevka, since the estate was in close proximity to the city of national significance - St. Petersburg. At this time, the main building and premises of the university were bombed, and the main attractions were lost.
It is important to know! The restoration of the cultural value of Petrodvorets was carried out by V. I. Zeideman and K. D. Agapova.
Attractions and features
Due to the fact that Sergeevka in Peterhof belonged to the imperial couple for a long time, amazing sculptures and structures appeared on the territory. Many of them have survived to this day. When visiting the park, you need to pay attention to the following attractions:
| Sight | Interesting Facts |
|---|---|
| Leuchtenberg Palace | The building was built in a good location. It can be seen from afar, the roof rises above the treetops on the way from the bus stop. From the windows of the estate there is a view of the Gulf of Finland. |
| Church ruins | For a long time there were disputes about which religious direction the temple could be attributed to. From the description of the appearance, one can be convinced that Catholic customs prevailed here. However, words in Church Slavonic were found on the inner walls, thanks to which doubts disappeared. |
| Stone head in Peterhof | According to art historians, the granite head of the knight appeared in Peterhof in the 1850s according to the idea of Maria Nikolaevna herself. However, this fact is not reflected in reliable sources. There is still debate about who the author is and what year this unique monument should be dated. It is also suggested that this is the head of Adam, cut down at the whim of the guests of Peterhof. |
| Stone benches | Carved from boulders, made in neo-Greek style. After the bombings of the Great Patriotic War, only 3 of them remained. |
| Water engine | According to historians, Andrei Stackenschneider was also its architect. Despite its simplicity and practicality, not all estates of wealthy noble families can boast of such an attraction. |
| Stone with holes. | It was accidentally excavated during reconstruction after the Great Patriotic War. There are 4 steps carved into the huge stone, above which there are holes for attaching the object. However, opinions differ about what function the structure served. |
Granite head of Adam Peterhof
Visit to the park
Visiting the park is free. A walk along the paths, relaxing on old benches and taking a photo with your head out of the ground in Peterhof will take a little time, but will leave a lot of good impressions about this place. You can book a tour “Stackenschneider's Masterpieces” and learn more about the history of the architectural structures of this place and surrounding areas. Also available is the walking tour “Life Stories. The Benois family in Peterhof,” which will open up the historical side of Sergeevka to guests. For foreign guests, there is the opportunity to book a private guide with the excursion “Park Sergievka: history of Peterhof’s stones.” The main attractions that will be focused on will be the remaining stone buildings and the giant's head.
Address, how to get there, is there parking?
Exact address: St. Petersburg, Petrodvortsovy district, Oranienbaumskoe highway.
Buses go to this place without transfer: 200, 348, 349, 682, 683, 684, 685A, 686, 687. You need to go to the Biological Institute stop.
The only way to get to Sergeevka in a short time by private car is the Western High-Speed Diameter road. Along the way, you can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding areas, but you will have to pay at least 250 rubles for the trip*.
A more detailed map of the route can be found on the website.
Important information! There is no equipped parking, however, not far from the estate there is a small space on an asphalt road where guests leave their cars. However, in winter this area is not cleared.
Are there souvenir shops, cafes, storage rooms, and other useful services for tourists on site?
Trade is prohibited within the park, but at the entrance to the park you can see a small shop with St. Petersburg souvenirs.
Romance of autumn Sergeevka.
Sergeevka Park - part of Peterhof - has long surprised guests of noble origin with its beauty. This place is truly unique, both the hand of the famous master and nature worked on it. Thanks to this, people still admire the local beauty.
*Prices are current as of September 2018.
If they don’t dig up this head and try not to shine a light on it, then they know what it is. Same thing with
Original taken from sibved to Peterhof. Sergievsky Park. Stone head
In Sergievsky Park - a palace and park ensemble located in Peterhof, west of the Leuchtenberg Palace, in a ravine, near the Kristelka River, there is a miracle head, carved into the ground, carved from a huge boulder, called “The Old Man” or “Adam’s Head”.
Official version. The head appeared, according to historical records, in 1800, under the then owner - Sergei Rumyantsev (a descendant of Peter I's associate - Alexander Rumyantsev). The monument was designed by the architect F. Brower, who worked at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries in St. Petersburg.
It feels like the body of this head (sculpture) is hidden somewhere underground. It is possible that it is already in a damaged, broken state, but it is still there.
It is difficult to explain the juxtaposition of traces of stone erosion and the simultaneous clear lines of the master's stone work. Or there was something else on the head (a knight’s helmet, for example). The hole in the nasal septum indicates this option. Or maybe someone checked to see if it was hollow?
Amateurs are not allowed to dig. This can only be done by “accredited” institutions, archaeologists. But as you can see, they are in no hurry to get here.
Sergievka also has a second unofficial name - the estate of the Duke of Leuchtenberg
Close-up photo. Traces of stone erosion are visible.
The hole is shallow. Tourists leave coins as usual.
In addition to the palace itself and the “stone head”, there are also other stone objects in the park
Boulders, including some with flat edges. Destroyed ancient masonry?
The place is very interesting. It’s a pity that it’s not as widely visited as the sights of St. Petersburg itself, and the cultural monuments themselves (the estate) are not in the best condition.
Moreover, not all residents of Russia, but also St. Petersburg, know about this place. I previously posted similar information on the forum.
